BY: JOSE ROBERT INVENTOR
Students and faculty members of UP Baguio staged a protest yesterday against the alleged misuse of funds within the University of the Philippines (UP) System.
One by one, students knocked on classroom doors across the UP Baguio campus on February 26 while voicing their concerns to the university administration.
The protest grew in scale, with professors and employees joining the demonstration.
Among them was Professor Rostum Paolo Alanas, who emphasized their calls for higher salaries, additional benefits, and improved facilities.
The walkout was triggered by the release of the UP System’s Consolidated Annual Audit Report for Fiscal Year 2023, which was published on December 13 last year.
The report revealed unused funds that could have been allocated for government investments.
It also pointed to alleged fund mismanagement and issues in infrastructure projects, including the failure to enforce contracts within UP Baguio.
Students, faculty, and employees expressed concerns that these financial mismanagement issues significantly impact their education and working conditions.
During the walkout, the University Student Council, along with two other student representatives, submitted a position paper to the university chancellor.
Enciso stated that they are hoping their five-point agenda will be included in the upcoming Board of Regents meeting.
Alanas, meanwhile, reflected on the protest’s impact.
More than a thousand students participated in the walkout— a significant number demanding transparency and accountability from the UP Baguio administration.
The university administration has committed to reviewing the submitted position papers.
